International pump manufacturer Grundfos announces that they are opening an island in Second Life focused on sustainable development. Thomas Kodbaek of their e-business unit comments, "The natural way to enter [Second Life] for us is to focus
on sustainable development, and so we have built up our island with
environmental issues and energy consumption as the main topic." They promise that this isn’t another "brochure sim" but will host a number of events starting today and beyond, inviting interaction with residents.
And beyond in-world engagement, avatars can support real world environmental initiatives. According to Kodbaek, "In several places visitors are invited
to support projects that, in the longer view, will result in
initiatives in the real world. For instance, users of Second Life are
invited to buy virtual SQ Flex installations and thereby contribute to
the donation of one real SQ Flex installation for a water supply
project in Africa in the real world." Access to clean water is one of the biggest challenges for underdeveloped countries in Africa and elsewhere.
I love the idea of corporations investing in sustainable development as part of their business strategy. If they can sell a few more water pumps and get clean water to people who need it, that sounds like a win-win to me. Visit their island Grudfos Energy Saving Island by clicking this SLURL.
The complete press release follows…
Grundfos sets new agenda in Second Life
Sustainability
is the main subject when Grundfos the pump group open the doors to a
brand new world in the virtual universe of Second Life on September
12th.
“New ideas, the option to invite users to take part, dialogue across
national borders, innovation power and a large amount of curiosity are
the reasons why Grundfos is going to open a new and completely
different island in Second Life,” said Thomas Koldbæk from Grundfos
eBusiness & -innovation.
Looking at the world with new eyes
Grundfos is primarily entering the three dimensional universe with
the purpose of learning. “We want to examine all the possibilities of
the computer made worlds. The natural way to enter for us is to focus
on sustainable development, and so we have built up our island with
environmental issues and energy consumption as the main topic. We want
as much interaction as possible. In several places visitors are invited
to support projects that, in the longer view, will result in
initiatives in the real world. For instance, users of Second Life are
invited to buy virtual SQ Flex installations and thereby contribute to
the donation of one real SQ Flex installation for a water supply
project in Africa in the real world”, Mr Koldbæk explained.
More than 4 walls and a logo
“We have used quite some time to decide how and why we want to be
present in Second Life. Our island is of optimum quality and facilities
and buildings have inviting and exciting designs. Users are constantly
invited to be active. Grundfos will let the island live for about six
months, during which time we shall take stock and evaluate the efforts
and benefits,” Mr Koldbæk said.
Long-term perspectives
Grundfos also want to clarify the trends of the virtual worlds now
and in the future. “The virtual universes are right now going through a
phase of experimentation. Our approach is focusing on our commitment to
sustainability and our corporate values. The primary aim of Grundfos is
to learn and then analyse what use we can make of the virtual
universes. For instance, this could be a forum of co-operation in which
we arrange meetings and conferences with all the parties interested in
our business,” Thomas Koldbæk concluded.
To visit Grundfos Energy Saving Island, all you need is to have Second Life installed and click here.
Launch event
To promote the official launch today, a rather intense schedule of several events are scheduled. They include a DJ and a live piano player, as well as a series of presentations related to sustainability.
- 12 (Noon) to 12:30 – Grundfos Welcome to Second Life
- 12:45 to 1:00 – Water for Life and Overview of water and other environmental issues we face — Delia Lake
- 1:00 to 1:45 pm – Brazillian Music — DJ Speelo Snook.
- 2:00 to 2:30 – Climate Changes — John Galland, RL climate scientist
and researcher presenting the latest scientific thinking about global
climate change. - 2:45 to 3:15 – You Can Make a Difference — RiverSong Garden will tell about projects in African villages.
- 3:30 to 4:00 – Solar Sunrise. — Bjerkle Eerie will talk about Solar power for Africa
- 4:15 to 4:45 – Water for Life and Overview of water and other environmental issues we face — Delia Lake
- 5:00 to 6:00 – Water Music — Enniv Zarf, pianist and composer will
play piano improvisations inspired by environmental photography